(FILE) The BRP Sierra Madre is seen docked at Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea on November 10, 2023. (Photo by Jam STA ROSA/AFP)
THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday that troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre stationed at Ayungin Shoal continue to have sufficient supplies despite the rescheduling of a rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission following recent interference by Chinese vessels.
AFP spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Navy reservist Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said in a virtual interview that the troops’ morale also remained high despite the delayed mission.
Trinidad said personnel aboard the BRP Sierra Madre were already accustomed to staying on the vessel even as scheduled rotations were delayed.
Chinese vessels interdicted Philippine RoRe mission to Ayungin Shoal on September 24.
According to Trinidad, Philippine vessels previously reached within 15 nautical miles of the BRP Sierra Madre before encountering China Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels.
During the latest mission, however, Chinese vessels were detected when the Philippine ships were approximately 16 nautical miles from the grounded Philippine Navy vessel.
Trinidad said the Chinese vessels subsequently moved to within less than one nautical mile of the Philippine vessel and issued threatening radio messages.
“There were reports of the engine of the [M/V Lapu-Lapu] not performing well, but it didn’t conk out. The PLA at ng China Coast Guard vessels came too close for comfort. It was a judgment call of the commander of Western Command to reschedule the RoRe,” Trinidad said.